Seal



ay w 1949- G. R. AscHAUER 2,469,538

SEAL

Filed March 16, 194e e .Um

, Y RR 2Q v 1 w i wx w w 51N" l "$4 --A-Y- n x I il 1111/621/ arf- Patented l1i), 1949 UNTED STATES PATIENT OFFICE SEAL George R. Aschauer,- Racine, Wis., assignor to Twin Disc Clutch Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application March 16, 19H5, Serial No. 654,897

12 claims. (cl. 28s-97.1)

My invention relates to seals and more particularly to an annular arrangement which `accommodates the sealed flow therethrough of a uid medium. j

Thelpresent seal is of the around-the-shaft type and is primarily intended for use with air operated clutches as a means of communicationv between the source of air pressure and the rotary cylinder forming part of the actuating means of the clutch. A characteristic method of accomplishing this result is to supply air to the cylinder through an axial passage in the driven shaft. This arrangement not only requires the drilling of a hole through the shaft, but also the use oi a collector air seal around the shaft at its end and may increase the overall length of the clutch.

It is therefore one object of my invention t0 devise a seal for the purpose indicated which eliminates the necessity for passages through the shaft and is so related to the clutch proper that air may be admitted directly through the seal into the clutch cylinder.

A further object is to provide a seal of the above type having stationary and rotary components in which provision is made for insuring a true sealing contact between the mating surfaces of the components.

These and further objects of the invention will be set forth in the `following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and the novel means by which said objects are effectuated, will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the improved seal shown in working relation to an air operated clutch.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the seal shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I0 designates a rotary wall forming part of an air operated clutch, for example, which wall may Ihe a portion of the external member of the clutch that has driving relation with a plurality of friction plates (not shown), these plates in turn being operably related to similar plates (not shown) drivably connected to a driven shaft Since the construction of such clutches is well known, the details thereof are not otherwise illustrated, v

A retaining ring l2 is secured to the wall Ill in coaxial relation to the shaft and serves to hold in abutting relation to the wall a ring I3 having a plurality of radial passages I4, only one of which is shown in the drawings and each of vwhose outer ends communicates'with a passage I5 in the wall I0 leading to an air cylinder (not shown) forming part of the actuating mechanism of the clutch. Interposed between the'ring I2 and the outer portion of the ringfr I3 is a cushion ring I6 that maybe made ofrubber, the clamping of the ring |3 being effected through the cushion ring for a purpose presently explained. y The inner portion of the ring I3 is provided with an annular sealing face I1. which is transversely -related with respect to the shaft and at which one end of a longitudinal passage I8 terminates, the other end communicating with the inner end of the radial passage I4, while the face II'is recessed to form an annular groove I8 which communicates with the passage I8. The ring I3 rotates with the Wall III through the medium of pins .I9 and constitutes the rotary component of the seal.

Sealably cooperating with the face' I1 is ay face 20 formed on the end of a carbon sealing ring 2| which isconcentrlc with the shaft I I and slidable in an annular channel 22 provided in a ring 23 that encircles` and is slightly spaced from the shaft, the channel 22 only extending part way through the ring 23. 'Ihe ring 2| includes an annular groove 2 la recessed in the face 2| in mating and cooperating relationA with the vgroove |8.

Seated on the outer periphery of the ring 23 is the inner race of a ball bearing 24 whose outer race ts within and provides journal support for the ring I2. i The bearing is held in position by a ilange 25 provided on the ring I2, a split 4ring 26 recessed -in the ring I2, an annular shoulder 21 formed on the ring 23 and a ring 28 which is secured to the ring 23 by screws 29. The rings 23 and 28 are held against rotary movement by any approved means.

An annular, channel-section, sealing ring 30, preferably composed of rubber, sealingly abuts its web against the end face of the sealing ring 2| which is positioned within the channel 22, the wings 3| of the ring 30 having sealing contact with the Walls of the channel. Also slidably mounted in the channel 22 is a follower ring 32 whose sectional shape is generally that of a truncated cone whose smaller end projects between the wings 3| into sealing contact with a plurality of bosses 33 formed on and equispaced around the web of the ring 30. The abutting relation of the rings 2|, 30 and 3 2 and the contact of the faces and 20 are maintained by a plurality of helicall the channel 22. It will be understood that a plurality of groups of such aligned passages are spaced around the respective rings and the alignments are maintained' by a suitable number of pins 4I (see Fig. l) in selected groups of the passages, leaving the others free for the admission of air to the passages I4, the pins extending through holes 42 in the ring 23. Air under pressure is supplied through a hose 43 which connects with the pocket 35, The rings 2|, 30 and 32 collectively constitute the stationary component of the improved seal, since the rings 23 and 28 are held against rotary movement.

The foregoing construction provides a simple and convenient method of supplying a fluid medium through the rotating wall of a piece of apparatus, such as an air operated clutch, with a shaft of the apparatus extending through the wall. The stationary component of the seal provides a journal support while the interposing of the rubber ring I6 which is compressed between the rings l2 and I3 prevents distortion of the latter ring and so insures the maintenance of the correct sealing relation between the faces I'I and 2U.

As noted, the carbon sealing ring'2I with its passages 31 is made in one piece which simplifies and cheapens the assembly, develops less heat and enables pressure on Vthe ring to be balanced. Further, the sealing ring 30 possesses certain novel attributes in that the provision of the bosses 33 imparts rigidity to this member while enabling the wings 3I to be made relatively thin and thus insure their freedom of action in maintaining sealing contact with the wall of the channel 22.

I claim:

1. An annular seal for supplying uid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring connected to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face and a passage leading from the face to the member, means for clamping the ring against the member, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a sealing ring slidable in the channel and spring actuated to bear against the face and having a passage communicating with the first named passage, means for maintaining registration of the passages, and a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and a fluid source.

2. An annular seal forsupplying fluid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring connected to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face and a passage leading from the face to the member, means for clamping the ring against the member, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a sealing ring slidable in the channel and spring actuated to bear against the face and having a passage communicating with the first named passage,

. 4 means for maintaining registration of the passages,- a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and a fluid source, and a bearing'carried by the ring means to provide journal support for the clamping means.

3. An annular seal for supplying uid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring connected to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face and a passage leading from the face to the member, means for clamping the ring against the member, cushion means interposed between the ring and clamping means, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a sealing ring slidable in the-channel and spring actuated to bear against the face and having a passage communicating with the rst named passage, means for maintaining registration of the passages, and a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and a uid source.

4. An annular seal for supplying fluid to a ro-` tating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring pinned to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face located inwardly of the ring and a pashage leading generally radially outward from the face to the member, means for clamping the outer portion of the ring against the member, cushion means interposed between the ring and clamping means outwardly of the face, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a sealing ring slidable in the channel and spring actuated to bear against the face and having a passage communicating with the irst 40 named passage, means for maintaining registration of the passages, and a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and a uid source.

5. An annular seal for supplying fluid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring pinned to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face located inwardly of the ring and a passage leading generally radially outward from the face to the member, means for clamping the outer portion of the ring against the member, a rubber ring interposed between the ring and clamping means outwardly of the face, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a sealing ring slidable in the channel and spring actuated to bear against the face and having a passage communicating with the rst named passage, means for maintaining registration of the passages, and a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and a uid source.

6. An annular seal for supplying uid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring connected to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face and a passage leading from the face to the member, means for clamping the ring against the member, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a unitary sealing ring slidable in the channel and spring actuated to bear against the face, the

sealing ring having a passage therethrough terlar sealing face and a passage leading from the` having a passage communicating with the first,V

named passage, and a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and va fluid source.

8. An annular seal for supplying fluid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring connected to the memberv for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face and a passage leading from the face to the member, means for clamping the ring,

against the member, cushion meansuinterposed between the ring and clamping means, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a unitary sealing ring slidable in the channel and spring actuated Ato bear against the face, the sealing ring having a passage therethrough terminating in an annular groove cooperably related to the iirst named passage whereby both passages are always in communication, and a conduit providing communication between the last named passage and a fluid source.

9. An annular seal for supplying iluid to a rotating member comprising rotating and stationary components, the rotating component being constituted by a ring connected to the member for rotation therewith and having an annular sealing face and a passage leading from the face to the member, means for clamping the ring against the member, and the stationary component comprising ring means -having an annular channel in opposite relation to the face, a sealing to the member, means for clamping the ring against the member, and the stationary component comprising ring means having an annular channel' in opposite relation to the face, .a sealing ring slidable in the channel and having a passage providing communication between the rst named passage and channel, a conduit in the stationary component for supplying iluid-to the channel, a plurality of spring actuated means spaced aroundthe stationary componentl and constantly urging the sealing ring against the face, and means interposed between the sealing l ring and spring actuated means for providing a seal with the annular-walls of the channel comprising a channel section, elastic ring having its web abutting the adjacent end face of the sealing ring and its wingsresiiiently and sealingly contacting the annular walls, the web being apertured in registration with the sealing ring passage and thickened at the points of contact with the spring actuated means, the wings being thin relative to the thickened portions of the web.

11. In an annular seal comprising rotating and stationary components for supplying fluid to a rotating member and including an annular channel in the stationary component, an annular sealing ring slidable in the channel for coaction with a sealing face on therotating component and having a passage extending therethrough for conducting uid admitted to the channel, spring actuated means constantly urging the sealing ring against the face, and means interposed between the sealing ring and spring actuated means for providing a seal with the annular walls of the channel comprising a channel Isection, elastic ring having its web abutting the adjacent en d face of the sealing ring and its wings resiliently and sealingly contacting the ring slidable in the channel and having a pas- ,Y

adjacent vend face of the sealing ring and its' I wings resiliently. and sealingly contacting the annular walls ofthe channel, the web being-apertured in registration with the sealing ring passage. l

10. An annular seal for supplyingv iiuid'to' a rotating member comprising vrotatingf'and "stationary components, the rotatingfcomponentbeing constituted by a ring connectedto the member for rotation therewith and an annular sealing face and a passage leading iromf the face face, and means interposed between the sealing ring and spring actuated means for providing a. seal with the annular Walls of the channel comprising a channel section, elastic ring having its web abutting the adjacent end face of the sealing ring and its wings resiliently and sealingly contacting the annular walls, the web being apertured in registration with the sealing ring passage and thickened at the .points of contact with the spring actuated means,the wings being thin relativeto the thickened portions of the web.

GEORGE R. ASCHAUER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the' file of this patent: v

` UNITED STATES PATENTS Number" Name. Date 1,876,515 Emmet sept.` e, 1932 2,183,761v Aspinwau Dec. 19, 1939 

